In the quiet woods of Perkinston, Mississippi, a unique healing space is emerging where veterans and rescued primates find peace together. The Gulf Coast Primate Sanctuary, founded by Air Force veteran April Stewart, is not just a refuge for animals once kept as pets—it has also become a place of solace for those grappling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As more veterans seek meaningful ways to reconnect with themselves and others, this Mississippi monkey sanctuary is offering an unexpected path to recovery.
One of the sanctuary’s volunteers, Army veteran John Richard, described his experience as transformative. After living with PTSD for more than 20 years, he found a connection with a spider monkey named Louie that brought him a sense of calm no previous treatment had matched. The author reports that Richard met Louie while helping build the monkey’s enclosure last fall. During a recent visit, Louie climbed up Richard’s body and embraced him, a moment that Richard interpreted as deeply reassuring. “He’s always telling you, ‘Oh, I love you. I know you’re OK. I know you’re not going to hurt me,’” Richard said.
For Richard, and others like him, the sanctuary provides more than just a volunteer opportunity. It offers a space where trust is rebuilt—both with animals and with people. I found this detail striking: in caring for these animals, veterans are also tending to their own emotional wounds. The process of feeding, cleaning, and simply spending time with the primates becomes a quiet ritual of healing.
April Stewart, who founded the sanctuary with her husband, also a veteran, understands this journey firsthand. She shared that her PTSD stemmed from military sexual trauma, a deeply painful experience that left lasting scars. “It was destroying my life. It was like a cancer,” she said. But her lifelong love of animals became a pathway toward recovery. What began as a personal coping mechanism evolved into a mission to help others. Although she didn’t initially plan for the sanctuary to serve as a therapeutic space for veterans, that’s exactly what it has become.
Located about 30 miles north of the Gulf Coast, the 15-acre property is home to a growing family of animals. Among the residents are three spider monkeys, two squirrel monkeys, two kinkajous (a tropical mammal related to raccoons), rescue dogs, geese, and a black cat. The sanctuary includes three spacious enclosures tailored to the needs of different species. Each features an air-conditioned indoor area and a large outdoor space where the primates can climb, swing, and bask in the sun. Stewart and her team strive to create an environment that mimics the animals’ natural habitats as closely as possible.
Every animal at the sanctuary was once a pet, surrendered by owners who could no longer care for them. Stewart emphasized that primates are not suitable as household pets. They require extensive space, social interaction, and specialized care that most families are not equipped to provide. The sanctuary’s goal is to reunite these animals with others of their kind, forming new social bonds in a setting that prioritizes their well-being. “This is their family,” Stewart said.
Running the sanctuary is a full-time commitment. Stewart begins and ends each day checking on the animals, ensuring they have fresh food, clean blankets, and safe enclosures. But she doesn’t do it alone. A dedicated group of volunteers—including several veterans—help with daily operations. Their involvement is not only crucial to the animals’ care but also contributes to the volunteers’ own healing processes. Stewart hopes to open the sanctuary to the public next summer for guided educational tours, which would expand its reach and help sustain its mission.
The sanctuary is the only primate facility in Mississippi licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. With support from two exotic-animal veterinarians, the Stewarts established a foundation to oversee operations and ensure long-term care for the animals. This forward-thinking approach reflects their commitment to both the primates and the people who find comfort in their presence.
Spaces like the Gulf Coast Primate Sanctuary highlight the powerful connection between humans and animals, especially in the context of trauma recovery. For veterans who often struggle to find traditional forms of support effective, this kind of immersive, compassionate environment can be life-changing. It’s a reminder that healing doesn’t always follow a conventional path—and that sometimes, it swings toward us on a monkey’s tail.
